2016 Gridiron Legend: Michael Bishop

A native of Willis, TX, quarterback Michael Bishop led Kansas State to their first No. 1 ranking in school history as a senior in 1998. Bishop initially attended Blinn Junior College in Brenham, TX, where he led the Buccaneers to two undefeated seasons and two NJCAA National Championships his freshman and sophomore year before joining Head Coach Bill Snyder – the only Division I school to offer him an opportunity to play quarterback – at Kansas State. Bishop led the Wildcats to consecutive 11-win seasons in 1997 and 1998. As a junior, Bishop threw for 1,557 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 556 yards and nine touchdowns, leading the team to an 11-1 record and a win in the Fiesta Bowl. He concluded his junior season as a second-team All-Big 12 Conference voted by the league’s coaches and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press. As a senior, Bishop helped the Wildcats to an 11-0 record, throwing for 2,844 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He rushed for 748 yards on 177 carries, scoring 14 touchdowns. The Wildcats won the Big 12 North title and lost in double overtime to No. 10 Texas A&M team. After starting in all 25 games during his two season at Kansas State, he received 792 votes in the 1998 Heisman Trophy voting, including 41 first place votes, but finished second to Ricky Williams. He finished his Wildcat career fourth on the all-time passing list with 4,401 yards and broke Chad May’s career record with 36 touchdown passes despite playing only two seasons. After his senior season, Bishop was voted a consensus All-American and All-Big 12 Conference selection and was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Bishop was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft and later played for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe in 2001. Bishop also played stints in the Arena Football League and Canadian Football League. He has since been inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, K-State Athletics Hall of Fame and most recently was nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame. Bishop is now a high school football coach in Texas.